17-oxygenate-2-alpha-methyl-2-methylen-5 alpha-androstan-3-ones and intermediates

ABSTRACT

The above-named compounds are manufactured from 17 Beta hydroxy-17 Alpha (optionally alkyl)-1 Alpha -methyl-5 Alpha androstan-3-ones. The compounds of this invention exhibit valuable pharmacological properties, e.g., anti-estrogenic, antifungal and anti-hypercholesterolemic.

United States Patent Klimstra [l5] 3,705,180 1451 Dec.5,1972

54 l7-OXYGENATE-l-ALPHA&METHYL-2- METHYLEN-S ALPHA-ANDROSTAN-Ii- ONES AND INTERMEDIATES [72] Inventor: Paul D. Klimstra, 1670 Chapel Court, Northbrook, Ill. 60062 [51] Int. Cl ..C07c 169/22 [58] Field of Search ../Machine Searched Steroids [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,356,694 12/1967 Lunn ..260/397.3

OTHER PUBLICATIONS Edwards et al., J. Med. Chem., Vol. 6, pp. 178- 182 (1963).

Primary Examiner-Henry A. French Att0rneyJohn M. Brown et al.

[57] ABSTRACT The above-named compounds are manufactured from 17,8-hydroxyl 7a(optionally alkyl)-1a-methyI-5a-androstan-3-ones. The compounds of this invention exhibit valuable pharmacological properties, e.g., antiestrogenic, anti-fungal and anti-hypercholesterolemic.

5 Claims, No Drawings 1 7-0XYGENATE-2-ALPHA-METHYL-2- METHYLEN-S ALPHA-ANDROSTAN3-ONES AND INTERMEDIATES This invention is concerned generally with steroids of the androstane family and, more particularly, it is concerned with l 7-oxygenated-1a-methyl-2-methylen-5aandrostan-3-ones and intermediates of the following structural formula I I C113 wherein X is a carbonyl radical or a radical of the formula with R being hydrogen or a lower alkanoyl radical, R being hydrogen or a lower alkyl radical and Z being a carbonyl radical or a hydroxymethylene radical.

The lower alkyl radicals represented are methyl, ethyl, propyl,'buty1, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl and the corresponding branched-chain isomers and the lower alkanoyl radicals intended are formyl, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, caproyl, valeryl, heptanoyl and the branchedchain isomers thereof.

The compounds of this invention are manufactured by a series of steps beginning with the treatment of the appropriate member of the 17B-hydroxy-17a-(optionally alkyl)-1a-methyl-5a-androstan-3-one family, e. g. 17B-hydroxy-1a,17a-dimethyl-Sa-androstan-3- one, with a strong base, such as sodium hydride, in the I presence of ethyl formate, followed by neutralization with the addition of an aqueous mineral acid, such as hydrochloric acid, to yield the hydroxymethylene substituted compound, for example, 17,8-hydroxy-1a,l7adimethyl-2-hydroxymethylen-Sa-androstan-B-one. Condensation of the enol with an amine, e.g., N- methylaniline, affords the 2-aminomethylen-3-oxo steroid which is reduced with a metallic hydride, such as sodium borohydride, to produce the 2- aminomethylene-3,17B-diol, e.g., 101,1 7a-dimethyl-2- N-methylanilinomethylen)-5a-androstane-3,17B-diol. Contacting the diol with methanolic hydrogen chloride affords a mixture of the Z-methylene diol and the 2-formyl-A -17fl-o1 which are separated by chromatography. Typical of this latter reaction is the conversion of 1a ,1 7a-dimethyl-2-(N-methylanilinomethylen )-5aandrostane-3,l7B-diol to la, 17a-dimethy1-2- methylen-5a-androstane-3,17B-diol. Oxidation of the diol with an oxidizing agent, such as chromic acid, yields the 3-keto steroid, and when the 1711 substituent is hydrogen, then the 3,17-dione is produced. This is i1- lustrated by the chromic acid oxidation of 111,170:- dimethyl-2-methy1en-5a-andostane-3,17,13-diol and 1amethy1-2-methy1en-5a-androstane-3,17B-diol to 17,8- hydroxy-1a,17a-dimethy1-Z-methyIen-Sa-androstan-3- one and 1a'methy1-2-methy1en-5a-androstane-3,17- dione respectively.

The method of manufacturing the starting materials of this invention is disclosed in Chem. and Pharm. Bull. Japan, 10, 386 1962).

The instant compounds are useful as pharmacological agents. For example, they exhibit anti-estrogenic, anti-fungal and anti-hypercholesterolemic properties. The anti-estrogenic utility is shown by a standardized test which is described in US. Pat. No. 3,539,558. The anti-fungal utility is shown by a standardized procedure described in 1.1.5. Pat. No. 3,499,013, and the antihypercholesterolemic utility is determined by the procedure described in US. Pat. No. 3,462,466.

The invention will appear more fully from the examples which follow. They are not to be construed as limiting the invention in spirit or in scope as many modifications will be apparent to one skilled in the art. In the following examples, quantities of materials are given in parts by weight unless otherwise "specified. Temperatures are in degrees Centigrade (C.

5a-androstan-3-one in 527 parts of benzene is added 33.2 parts of ethyl formate in 1 portion. That solution is .stirred under a nitrogen atmosphere and 22.5 parts ofa 50 percent sodium hydride in oil dispersion is added over a 5 minute period. The stirring is continued for 22 hours at room temperature, and then the solid material is removed by filtration, washed successively with benzene and hexane, and dried under reduced pressure at a temperature of about 60. The solid is added to 142 parts of hydrochloric acid in 600 parts of water with rapid stirring continuing for a period of about 15 minutes, thus forming a dark, highly viscous material which is separated by decanta tion. This material is dissolved in ethyl acetate, and that solution is filtered through diatomaceous earth. The filtrate is washed with water and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and charcoal, and the solvent is removed yielding 17B- hydroxy- 1a-methyl-2-hydroxymethy1en-5a-androstan- 3-one as an oil.

EXAMPLE 2 A solution of 16 parts of 17B-hydroxy-la-methy1-2- hydroxymethylen-5a-androstan-3-one, 15.8 parts of freshly distilled N-methylaniline and 317 parts of methanol is refluxed for 4 hours. Then the solvent is removed under reduced pressure, thus affording 17,8- hydroxy-1a-methyl-2-(N-methylanilinomethylen)-5 ozandrostan-3-one as an oil.

EXAMPLE 3 To 16 parts of l7B-hydroxy-la-methyl-Z-(N- methylanilinomethylen )-5a-androstan-3one dissolved in 317 parts of methanol is added, with stirring and cooling in a water bath, a solution of 15 parts of sodium borohydride in 50 parts of water. Stirring is continued for about 3 hours, and then water is added. The solution is extracted with ether and the extracts are washed with water and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and charcoal. After solvent removal, la-methyl-Z-(N- methylanilinomethylen)-5a-androstane-3 ,1 7,8-diol remains as an oil.

' methylanilinomethylen )-a-androstane-3, l 7B-diol and 317 parts of methanol is treated with 29.6 parts of hydrochloric acid. The solution is stirred for one-half hour and kept at room temperature by the addition of water. Additional water is added and then the solution is extracted with ether. The extracts are washed successively with water and 5 percent sodium bicarbonate solution and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and charcoal to yield, after solvent removal, a glass-like material. This material is taken up in benzene and chromatographed on a silica column to yield a mixture of 1a-methyl-Z-methylen-5a-androstane-3a, l 7B-diol and la-methyl-cz-methylen-5a-androstane-3B, l 7,8-diol. Also separated in the fractionation is la-methyl-Z-formyl-Sa-androst-Z-en- 1 7/3-0].

EXAMPLE 5 A solution of 18 parts of 17B-hydroxy-la,l7adimethyl-Sa-androstan-3-one and 527 parts of benzene is treated with 33.2 parts of ethyl formate, which is added in one portion, and 22.5 parts of a 50 percent sodium hydride in oil dispersion, which is added over a 5 minute period with stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture is continuously stirred at room temperature for 22 hours. The resultant sodium salt which forms is separated by filtration, washed with benzene and then hexane and dried at 50 under reduced pressure for 3 hours. The salt then is added to a stirred solution of 142 parts of hydrochloric acid and 1,200 parts of water, and the precipitate is collected, washed with water and air dried, thus yielding 11B- hydroxyla, 1 7a-dimethyl-2-hydroxymethylen-5a-an drostan-3-one. This compound is characterized by an ultraviolet absorption band at 286 millimicrons with a molecular extinction coefficient of 4,200.

EXAMPLE 6 A solution of 18 parts of l7B-hydroxy-la,l7adimethyl-2-hydroxymethylen5a-andr0stan-3-0ne, 396 parts of methanol and 17.7 parts of freshly distilled N- methylaniline is refluxed for 5 hours. The solution is cooled and the solvent is removed to produce crude l7B-hydroxyl a, l 7a-dimethyl-2-(N- methylanilinomethylen)-5a-androstan-3-one.

18 parts of the above crude product is dissolved in 356 parts of methanol, and to this solution is added, over a period of about 25 minutes with stirring and with cooling in a cold water bath, 18 parts of sodium borohydride dissolved in 50 parts of water. The solution is stirred at room temperature for an additional 2% hours and water is added. Then the solution is extracted with ether and the extracts washed with water and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and charcoal. After solvent removal, la,l7a-dimethyl-2-(N- methylanilinomethylen )-5a-androstane-3, l 7B-diol remains as an oil.

EXAMPLE 7 To 1 8 parts of lot, 1 7a-dimethyl-2-(N- methylanilinomethylen)-5oz-androstane-3, l 7B-diol in 317 parts of methanol, cooled in a water bath, is added, dropwise over a 5 minute period and accompanied by drostane-3a, 1 7,8-diol stirring, 23.7 parts of hydrochloric acid. The solution is stirred for about 10 minutes. Then water is added and the solution extracted with ether. The extracts are washed with water and a 5 percent sodium bicarbonate solution and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. Solvent is removed to leave an oil which, when taken up in benzene and chromatographed on silicon dioxide, yields, la, 1 7a-dimethyl-2-methylen-5a-androstane- 3,8,17B-diol and la,17B-dimethyl-2-methylen-5a-androstane-3a,l7B-diol as a mixture. Also separated in that fractionation is la,l7a-dimethyl-2formyl-5a androst-2-en- 1 73-01.

EXAMPLE 8 By substituting an equivalent quantity of l7a ethyll7,8-hydroxy-1a-methyl-5a-androstan-3-one as a starting material, and otherwise following the procedure of Example 5, Example 6, and Example 7, there is produced 1 17a-ethyl-1a-methyl-2-methylen-5a-anand l7a-ethyl-la-methyl-2- methylen-Sa-androstane-Bfi, l 7B-dio] as a mixture.

EXAMPLE 9 To a solution of 5.5 parts of la-methyl-Z-methylen- 5a-androstane-3,l7B-diol and 73.4 parts of acetone, cooled in an ice bath, is added an excess of 4 N chromic acid. The solution then is allowed to warm to room temperature and is stirred for 4 hours. After that time, isopropanol is added to destroy the excess chromic acid and the solution is filtered through diatomaceous earth. Then water is added to the filtrate and upon cooling a solid forms. This material is dissolved is methanol and charcoal is added. After filtering the mixture through diatomaceous earth, followed by the addition of water and cooling, la-methyl-2-methylen-5a-androstane- 3,17-dione is afforded as crystals. This compound is distinguished by an absorption band in the ultra-violet spectrum at about 225 millimicrons with a molecular extinction coefficient of 5,000 and is represented by the following structural formula 9H2 30m I EXAMPLE 10 solution and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and charcoal. After solvent removal, an oil remains which solidifies upon standing. Pure 17/3-hydroxy-la,17adimethy1-2-methy1en-5aandrostan-3-one is obtained upon recrystallization from a methanol-water solution and displays an absorption band in the ultraviolet spectrum at about 226 millimicrons with a molecular extinction coefficient of 3,000. This compound is represented structurally by the following formula EXAMPLE 1 1 When an equivalent quantity of 17a-ethy1-1amethyl-2-methylen-5a-androstane-3,l7B-diol is substituted in the procedure of Example 10, there is obtained l 7B-hydroxy-1 7a-ethy1- 1 a-methyl-Z-niethylena-androstan-3-one.

EXAMPLE 12 EXAMPLE 13 When an equivalent quantity of la-methyl-Z-(N- methylanilinomethylen )-3-oxo-5a-androstan- 1 75-01 17-acetate is substituted in the procedure of Example 3 there is produced methylanilinomethylen-5a-androstane-3 1 7B-diol acetate.

EXAMPLE 14 By substituting an equivalent quantity of la-methyl- 2-(N-methylanilinomethylen)-6a-androstane-3,17B- diol l7-acetate in the procedure of Example 4, 1amethy1-2-methy1en-5a-androstane-3 l 7B-diol 17- acetate is obtained.

EXAMPLE l5 Substitution of an equivalent quantity of la-methyl-Z -methylen-5a-androstane-3,l7B-dio1 17-acetate in the procedure of Example 9 affords a mixture of 1amethy1-2-methy1en-3-oxo-5a-androstan-173-01 17- acetate and 1a-methyl-2-methylen-Sa-androstane-3,17 -dione. That mixture is chromatographed on neutral alumina to yield fractions of la-methyl-2-methylen-3- oxo-Sa-androstan-Hfi-ol l7-acetate and la-methyl-Z- methy1en-5a-androstane-3,17-dione, the latter product being identical to the product of Example 9.

EXAMPLE 16 To a stirred solution of 1.0 part of la -methyl-2- methylen-S-oxo-Sa-androstan-l78-01 17-acetate in 15.8 parts of methanol, cooled to about 15 in an ice bath, is added a solution of 0.2 part of potassium carbonate dissolved in 2 parts of water, dropwise, over a 10 minute period. Then the solution is allowed to warm to room temperature and stand for about 16 hours after which time water and ice are added. The solid which forms is collected by filtration, washed with water and air dried. Recrystallization from aqueous methanol affords 1a-methy1-2-methylen-3-oxo-5aandrostan-1 7B- ol. That material absorbs in the ultraviolet spectrum at about 226 millimicrons with a molecular extinction coefficient of about 3,400 and further displays infrared absorption bands at about 3.25, 3.42, 5.90 and 6.01 microns.-

EXAMPLE 17 By substituting an. equivalent quantity of propionic anhydride in the procedure of Example 12 and otherwise following the procedures outlined in Examples l2, 13, 14 and 15, there is obtained la-methyl-Z-methylen- 3-oXo-5a-androstan 1 73-01 l7-propionate.

What is claimed is:

l. A compound of the formula wherein X is selected from the group consisting of a carbonyl radical and radicals of the formula with R being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkanoyl radicals and R being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkyl radicals.

2. As in claim 1, a compound of the formula 3. As in claim 1, a compound of the formula O-(lo\ver alkanoyl) i on.

4. As in claim 1, the compound which is la-methyl-Z -methylen-5a-androstane-3 ,1 7-dione.

5. As in claim 1, the compound which is 17B-hydroxyl a, 1 7oz-dimethy1-2-methylen-5a-androstan-3-one. 

2. As in claim 1, a compound of the formula
 3. As in claim 1, a compound of the formula
 4. As in claim 1, the compound which is 1 Alpha -methyl-2-methylen-5 Alpha -androstane-3,17-dione.
 5. As in claim 1, the compound which is 17 Beta -hydroxy-1 Alpha ,17 Alpha -dimethyl-2-methylen-5 Alpha -androstan-3-one. 